ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
New electrolyte found can help better ammonia synthesis
A new aqueous electrolyte that can help make electrochemical ammonia synthesis more efficient will be useful for industries producing green energy or hydrogen.
The electrochemical ammonia synthesis is largely limited by the poor solubility of nitrogen  in the aqueous electrolyte environment as well as the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction. The obstacle faced was that reduction of N2 has actually occurred in the aqueous medium. In an attempt to solve these issues, the “ambient” conditions are mostly overseen. Researchers mostly work on catalyst development, while electrolyte improvisation still remains in infancy. According to a recent report, 90.7 % of the research works related to : Nitrogen reduction reaction  have focused on the suitable catalyst development, while only 4.7 % have been devoted to work on the electrolytes.
Scientists from Institute of Nano Science and Technology  Mohali, an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology , have introduced a new electrolyte called , which not only acts as an N2-carrier in the medium but also works as a full-fledged “co-catalyst” along with active material transition metal-doped nanocarbon  to deliver high yield of ammonia  at absolutely ambient experimental conditions. The high production rate of NH3 approached industrial scale and exceeded almost all the standard catalysts in any other electrolyte medium. The source of NH3 was thoroughly studied and confirmed to be chiefly from the electrochemical reduction of the purged N2 gas (make it N2 saturated electrolyte to convert N2 to NH3.
This research published in the journal PNAS is a novel approach to get through the long-standing issues about the solubility of N2 in aqueous medium and achieve industrial scale production rate of ammonia by NRR at ambient condition.
This work supported by DST SERB brings an user-friendly aqueous electrolyte  which can encourage researchers to work more on aqueous electrolyte designing towards an even improved NRR performance of the electro catalysts. A patent has been filed for this work and the scientists are now working towards making electrolyzer for rapid rate of ammonia production at an industrial scale.
Publication link: doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2204638119
For more details, please contact Dr. Ramendra Sundar Dey, Email: rsdey@inst.ac.in.
Prime Minister's Office
Statement on All Party Meeting of 19th June 2020
Attempts are being made in some quarters to give a mischievous interpretation to remarks by the Prime Minister at the All-Party Meeting  yesterday.
Prime Minister was clear that India would respond firmly to any attempts to transgress the Line of Actual Control . In fact, he specifically emphasized that in contrast to the past neglect of such challenges, Indian forces now decisively counter any violations of LAC .
The APM was also informed that this time, Chinese forces have come in much larger strength to the LAC and that the Indian response is commensurate. As regards transgression of LAC, it was clearly stated that the violence in Galwan on 15 June arose because Chinese side was seeking to erect structures just across the LAC and refused to desist from such actions.
The focus of the PM’s remarks in the APM discussions were the events of 15 June at Galwan that led to the loss of lives of 20 Indian military personnel. Prime Minister paid glowing tributes to the valour and patriotism of our armed forces who repulsed the designs of the Chinese there. The Prime Minister’s observations that there was no Chinese presence on our side of the LAC pertained to the situation as a consequence of the bravery of our armed forces. The sacrifices of the soldiers of the 16 Bihar Regiment foiled the attempt of the Chinese side to erect structures and also cleared the attempted transgression at this point of the LAC on that day.
The words of Prime Minister “Those who tried to transgress our land were taught a befitting lesson by our brave sons of soil”, succinctly summed up the ethos and the values of our armed forces. The Prime Minister further emphasised, “I want to assure you, that our armed forces will leave no stone unturned to protect our borders”.
What is Indian territory is clear from the map of India. This Government is strongly and resolutely committed to that. Insofar as there is some illegal occupation, the APM was briefed in great detail how over the last 60 years, more than 43,000 sq.km has been yielded under circumstances with which this country is well aware. It was also made clear that this Government will not allow any unilateral change of the LAC.
At a time when our brave soldiers are defending our borders, it is unfortunate that an unnecessary controversy is being created to lower their morale. However, the predominant sentiment at the All Party Meeting was of unequivocal support to the Government and the armed forces at a time of national crisis. We are confident that the unity of the Indian people will not be undermined by motivated propaganda.
VRRK/AKP
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Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
NCSK Welcomes Delhi Government’s Plan to Introduce Mechanized Cleaning of Sewers
The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis has been mandated to monitor the implementation of “The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013 and also the Supreme Court Judgement dated 27.3.2014 in WP  No. 583 of 2003 in Safai Karamcharis Andolan Vs UOI regarding payment of Rs. 10.00 lakhs as compensation to the dependent family members of sewer/septic death cases.
In discharge of the mandate, the Commission has taken serious view on wake of many sewer deaths in Delhi while cleaning sewer /septic tanks. Hence, Hon’ble Chairman, NCSK has helda meeting on 26.9.2017 with Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Delhi Government to talk over on frequent sewer deaths andovercome on this issue. During the meeting Commission has urged the Delhi Government to immediately ban the hazardous cleaning of Sewer/Septic Tanks manually and for introduction of complete mechanization of this type of cleaning so that further misshaping couldbe avoided. It has also been suggested that theexisting Manual Scavengers and Safai Karamcharisonly be engaged in this mechanism technology.By this way, they will get self-employed. They may be called entrepreneurs, a status that will help them economically. At the same time, it will also ensure their safety and give them dignity.
On the Commission’s recommendations, Delhi Government gave a serious thought and planned to introduce mechanized cleaning of sewers. As a result, Delhi Government has launched 200 Sewer Cleaning Machines for narrow lanes on 28.2.2019, to ensure safety and dignity of sanitary workers.
Ministry of Tourism
Shri Anil Sahasrabudhe interacts with students from Madhya Pradesh at New Delhi en-route their 5-day visit to Nagaland under AKAM-EBSB
This student exchange between paired partner states will see about 750 students all over India visiting the other state under the Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat initiative
As part of the ongoing nationwide Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav-Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat  Student Exchange Program, 50 students from Madhya Pradesh interacted with Chaiman AICTE , Shri Anil Sahasrabudhe before starting their five-day visit to Nagaland on Thursday.
The interaction was facilitated by the Union Ministry of Education and the All India Council for Technical Education , New Delhi, and saw the presence of their senior functionaries on occasion.
Notably, Madhya Pradesh and Nagaland are paired states under this program that aims to enhance interaction and promote mutual understanding between people of different States/Union Territories through the concept of State/Union Territory pairing.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Sahasrabudhe said that this interactive program for students of Higher Education Institutes  and Schools from Madhya Pradesh is part of the pan-India student exchange between paired partner states. We were delighted to see the enthusiasm of students from Madhya Pradesh who will be immersed in the culture of Nagaland for five days during their tour.
Ms. Riya Lohia, Ms. Anika Rai, Mr. Justin and Mr. Devyansh Srivastava said that this interaction organized by AICTE during our short stay in New Delhi made our short stay at the National Capital one of the many pleasant and memorable events of our AKAM-EBSB Student Tour Program. We are thrilled to be part of the program and look forward to a meaningful tour and knowing more about Nagaland and its people.
Dr. Ravindra Kumar Soni , Dr. Nikhil Kant , Mr. Manoj Singh  were also present and interacted with students.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Rules for Government Employees to Contests Elections
The Central Civil Services  Rules, 1964, which are applicable to the Central Government civilian employees, prohibit the employees from contesting elections to any Legislative or Local Authority.
The conduct of employees of autonomous bodies, statutory organizations, public sector enterprises, trusts, banks etc. is governed by the respective set of rules/ regulations applicable to them.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State  Development of North-Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Scientists from DRDO & IIT Delhi receive National Award for Young Women Showing Excellence through Application of Technology for Societal Benefits
, DRDO, Timarpur, Delhi has developed a female-specific Full Body Protector  to safeguard the Female troops deployed in riot control actions.
This gear has been developed in collaboration with the Rapid Action Force using the ergonomic design principle based on anthropometric dimensions specific for female troops. The full Body Protector has unique properties, including anti-stab, anti-puncture, flame retardant and acid resistance. It is designed to assure greater comfort and flexibility to the women forces while deployed in law and order maintenance duties.
Dr. Shalini Gupta, Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology , Delhi, has successfully led the development of a technology SeptifloTM, which offers fast and affordable assay for point-of-care diagnosis and treatment of bacterial septicemia, one of the biggest in-hospital killers worldwide.
This has led to the incubation of the start-up Nano DX Healthcare Pvt. She is pursuing unconventional approaches to design novel bio-systems for medical diagnosis, drug delivery, and biomaterials fabrication on a chip. A prototype diagnostic kit, using naturally amplified pathogen-derived endotoxins for early bedside diagnosis of bacteremia has been developed, which is currently undergoing clinical trials. In drug delivery systems, cancer and bacterial therapies have been combined into a single delivery platform in order to co-eliminate cancer and bacterial infections residing inside cancer.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Special Window for Completion of Affordable and Mid-Income Housing  Created
Swamih Investment Fund to Provide Last Mile Funding to Stressed Affordable and Middle-Income Housing Project
In order to boost real estate sector, the Government has taken various initiatives such as reduction in Goods and Services Tax  on under-construction Affordable Housing project from existing 8% to 1% without Input Tax Credit  and in case of other housing projects from 12% to 5% without ITC; increase in Priority Sector Lending for Affordable Housing Project from Rs. 28 lakh to Rs. 35 lakh in metros and from Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh in non-metros; Setting up of Affordable Housing Fund in National Housing Bank; additional Deduction of Rs. 1.5 lakh on account of Home Loan Interest in addition to the deduction of Rs. 2 lakh for affordable housing, Extension of 100% deduction on profits for construction of affordable housing projects under section 80-IBA of the Income Tax Act till 31.03.2021 and widening the scope of section 80-IBA from 30 to 60 square meters in metros regions and 60 to 90 square meters in non-metros cities.
In order to give relief to homebuyers of stalled projects, a Special Window for Completion of Affordable and Mid-Income Housing  has been created for funding stalled projects that are net-worth positive, including those projects that have been declared as Non-Performing Assets  or are pending proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. SWAMIH investment fund will provide last mile funding to the stressed affordable and middle-income housing projects in the country,
Recently, in view of global pandemic of COVID-19, to protect the interest of all stakeholders, Central Government has issued the necessary advisory to all States/Union Territories and their Real Estate Regulatory Authorities for issuance of requisite orders/ directions under enabling provisions of Real Estate  Act, 2016  to invoke force majeure clause to automatically revise / extend completion date for all real estate projects registered under RERA for a period of 6 months, where completion date expires on or after 25th March, 2020 and to allow further extension of 3 months, if the situation so demands, for the reasons to be recorded in writing and also extend concurrently the timelines of other statutory compliances under RERA.
This was informed by Minister of State  for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Job Seekers and Jobs Created
Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey  on employment and unemployment is conducted by National Statistical Office , Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. As per the PLFS 2018-19, the estimated worker population ratio and unemployment rate for persons of 15 years and above on usual status  basis in the country was 47.3% and 5.8%.
The Government has recently announced fiscal stimulus of more than rupees twenty seven lakh crore as part of the Aatmanirbhar financial Package specifically to create employment opportunities for workers of unorganized sector, strengthening of MSME Sector and promoting rural economy. It includes many initiatives undertaken as part of structural reforms for these sectors which, inter alia, are deregulation of the agricultural sector; change in definition of MSMEs; new PSU policy; commercialization of coal mining; higher FDI limits in defence and space sector; development of Industrial Land Bank; revamp of Viability Gap Funding scheme for social infrastructure; new power tariff policy and; incentivizing States to undertake sectoral reforms.
This information was given by Minister of State  for Labour & Employment Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India invites applications for National Sports Awards 2023.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India has invited applications for National Sports Awards 2023. Applications from the eligible sportspersons/ coaches/ entities/ universities are invited for the National Sports Awards 2023. Applications are being invited only in online mode through a dedicated Portal. The applicants eligible in accordance with the Award guidelines are permitted to self-apply, without the recommendation of the authorities/persons, online at the Portal dbtyas-sports.gov.in only. In case of any issue faced in online application, the applicant may contact the Department of Sports at the email id sportsawards-moyas[at]gov[dot]in or at Tel. No. 011-23387432 from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm on any working day or Toll Free No. 1800-202-5155, 1800258-5155 . The application of the eligible sportspersons for the Award must be submitted at the Portal dbtyas-sports.gov.in by 11.59 pm on 2nd November, 2023. Application received after the last date will not be considered.
Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years; Arjuna Award is given for consistent outstanding performance for four years; Dronacharya Award is given to the coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious international sports events whereas Dhyan Chand Award is for life time contribution to sports development. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar is given to the Corporate entities and individuals who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad  Trophy is given to University for overall top performance in inter-university tournaments.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India invites applications for Sports Awards each year. The notifications inviting applications for these sports awards for the year 2023 have been uploaded on the website www.yas.nic.in. The Indian Olympic Association/ Sports Authority of India/ recognized National Sports Federations/ Sports Promotion Boards/ State and UTs Governments etc. are also intimated accordingly.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Serum Institute of India  has NOT contracted all its production of COVID vaccine to the Centre till 25th May 2021
State Governments are free to procure COVID vaccine doses from the vaccine manufacturers as per the Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy
There have been some media reports suggesting that Serum Institute of India  has contracted all its production till 25th May 2021 to the Centre, and therefore till that date the State governments will not be able to procure vaccine from SII.
These media reports are based on incorrect facts and are without any basis.
In order to expand and liberalise the countrywide vaccination drive, the Union Government has on 19th April 2021 announced the Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy which would come into effect from 1st May 2021.
A key feature of the Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy is that the “Vaccine manufacturers would supply 50% of their monthly Central Drugs Laboratory  released doses to Govt. of India and would be free to supply remaining 50% doses to State Governments and in the other than Govt. of India channel”. The State governments are free to purchase the vaccine doses from the vaccine manufacturers.
Therefore, it is very clear that every month out of the total CDL cleared doses available with any vaccine manufacturer, 50% doses would be available for other than Government of India channels.
The strategy is available at: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/LiberalisedPricingandAcceleratedNationalCovid19VaccinationStrategy2042021.pdf
Press release at: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1712710
Ministry of Finance
CBDT extends due date for filing of Form 10B/10BB and Form ITR-7 for the Assessment Year 2023-24
The due date of furnishing Audit reports in Form 10B/Form 10BB for the Financial Year 2022-23, which is 30.09.2023 has now been extended by the Central Board of Direct Taxes  to 31.10.2023.
The due date of furnishing of Return of Income in Form ITR-7 for Assessment Year 2023-24, which is 31.10.2023 is also extended to 30.11.2023.
CBDT Circular No. 16/2023 in 225/177/2023/ITA-II dated 18.09.2023 issued. The said Circular is available on www.incometaxindia.gov.in.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Hon'ble President and Prime Minister Pay Floral Tribute to Baba Saheb's Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Hon'ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar and other Ministers, prominent dignitaries from various Ministries paid floral tribute to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas on 6th December at Parliament House.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CAQM steps up implementation of action plan for Greening NCR with the progress of Monsoon
Plantation of 01,81,90,447 achieved in Delhi NCR
Continuing its efforts to abate air pollution in the National Capital Region  through enhanced green cover and large-scale plantation, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas  has been reviewing the progress of plantation in the NCR districts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and NCT of Delhi. As against the revised plantation target of 3,34,56,541, the NCR Districts of Haryana, Rajasthan, U.P. and NCT of Delhi have achieved plantation of 01,81,90,447, i.e., an achievement of more than 54% as on 20th July.
The plan for the year 2022-23, mandates enhanced plantation targets as compared to the previous year and State Governments of Haryana, Rajasthan, U.P. and GNCTD have set increased plantation targets for the year 2022-23. As on 20.07.2022, NCT of Delhi has done 8,38,416 plantations as against the plantation target of 35,06,900; NCR Districts of U.P. has done 1,52,36,379 plantations as against the plantation target of 1,87,39,565; Haryana  has done 17,06,152 plantations as against the target of 1,01,56,447; and two NCR districts of Rajasthan have done 4,09,500 plantations as against the target of 10,53,629. The percentage achievement, as compared to the revised target, as on 20th July by NCR Haryana, NCR Uttar Pradesh, NCR Rajasthan and NCT of Delhi is 16.7%, 81.3%, 38.8% and 23.9 % respectively.
The NCR States of Haryana and Rajasthan and GNCTD need to gather further momentum and were directed to expedite the plantation drive to achieve their respective targets and send an updated status as on 31.07.2022 by early August. The Commission has also taken an initiative to engage various major stakeholders including from Universities, Higher Education and Research Institutions to push the plantation drive in the National Capital Region.
The plantation progress will be reviewed again by the Commission with the NCR States and NCTD in August.
Ministry of Finance
Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme  1.0 & 2.0 extended upto 30.6.2021
New window ECLGS 3.0 for enterprises in Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Leisure & Sporting sectors
In recognition of the continuing adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic on certain service sectors, the Government has now extended the scope of Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme  through introduction of ECLGS 3.0 to cover business enterprises in Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Leisure & Sporting sectors which had, as on 29.02.2020, total credit outstanding not exceeding Rs. 500 crore and overdues, if any, were for 60 days or less, on that date i.e. 29th Feb 2020.
ECLGS 3.0 would involve extension of credit of upto 40% of total credit outstanding across all lending institutions as on 29.02.2020. The tenor of loans granted under ECLGS 3.0 shall be 6 years including moratorium period of 2 years.
Further, the validity of ECLGS i.e. ECLGS 1.0, ECLGS 2.0 & ECLGS 3.0 have been extended upto 30.06.2021 or till guarantees for an amount of Rs. 3 lakh crore are issued. Last date of disbursement under the scheme has been extended to 30.09.2021.
The modifications introduced in the scheme, while providing an incentive to MLIs to enable availability of additional funding facility to the eligible beneficiaries will go a long way in contributing to economic revival, protecting jobs, and creating conducive environment for employment generation.
The revised operational guidelines in this regard shall be issued by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd .